Friday, 24 July 2015

25 July 2015

Collects

Prayers
developed from the daily readings

Saturday 25 July 2015

Morning
Prayer

Psalms 62 and 63

For God my soul waits in silence: my salvation and my
hope comes from God. All people and things and powers are temporary. God is our
rock and fortress and we shall not be shaken. Steadfast love belongs to God.

As a drought-ravaged land seeks water so our souls
seek God. God’s love is better than life. God’s love is like a rich feast.
Meditating on God causes our souls to sing.

The psalm ends with a plea for personal security.

2 Samuel 8: 15 – 9: 13

David reigns in the now united kingdom. Joab remains
his commander, Zadok the high priest, there are others named is senior roles,
and David’s sons are priests.

David seeks out the remnants of Saul’s household and
finds Ziba who a servant. Ziba reveals the existence and location of
Mephibosheth, Jonathon’s son whose feet were damaged in an accident when he was
a baby.

Mephibosheth is brought to David who tells him not to
fear, grants him all that belonged to Saul and Saul’s house. Mephibosheth calls
himself a dead dog and asks David’s what he is to David that he should be so
generous. David instructs Ziba and his household (15 sons and 20 servants) to
farm Saul’s land for Mephibosheth who will always eat at David’s table like one
of David’s sons and live in Jerusalem.

Mica is one of Ziba’s sons.

John 8:
12 – 30

Jesus
says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness but will have the light of life” (v. 12). The Pharisees dispute with
him that this assessment is not valid. Jesus says that because he knows his
origins and what is to come, even if this is a self-assessment, it is valid. He
goes on to say that no one can follow his path, that he is following God’s path
and speaking God’s words. When Christ is raised up the people will know who he
is, and what he has done. Many believe in him.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

ConcernMandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Steadfast
God, your love is better than life. It is a rich feast in a royal household. It
causes our hearts to sing. Help us see that the things that separate us from
you are our concerns about human power, fear and pride. Guide and support when
we humbly bring our selves before you, ask for your protection and realise that
we will always fall short of being able to truly follow in Jesus’s steps so
that we are reminded that the help that comes from you is the generous support
of a loving parent lighting up our lives to joy and fullness through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the power of your Holy Spirit
in our hearts. Amen.

Saturday 25 July 2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalms 64 and 67

The first psalm is about those who do evil and think
no one can see or hear them. God knows. God sees. God will respond. Let the
righteous rejoice and take refuge in God.

The second psalm is a blessing. “May God be gracious
to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us” (v 1). The blessing asks
too that our lives be testament to God’s glory. May the whole world sing praise
and rejoice.

Proverbs 8: 1 – 21

Wisdom calls out to us all. We are to learn prudence,
acquire intelligence, discretion and listen. Wisdom is better than jewels. Revering
God means we will hate evil, pride, arrogance and perverted speech.

Those who seek wisdom will find it. The riches that
come from wisdom are like fine fruit and better than gold. Wisdom takes us on
the path of righteousness and justice.

Romans
3: 21 – 31

Paul
continues to say that we all stand before God on an equal footing justified by
faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus was the sacrifice of atonement by faith. So, there
is no basis for boasting. It is our faith not our works that justifies us and
we uphold the Law.

Collect for
Evening Prayer

Spirit of JoyMandurah Estuary WA 2014 L Osburn

Almighty
and all-knowing God, you have freed us all and justified us through our faith
in Jesus. Continue to bless us, shine on us and be gracious to us. Lead us to
seek wisdom, prudence, and discretion and to listen so that when we stand
before you it will be with rejoicing hearts overflowing with love for you through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and Saviour. Amen.